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Q: How can we ensure our trade show giveaways don't just get thrown away?

The secret to longevity is aligning your giveaways with practicality, quality, and your audience's values . Choosing high-utility items (like power banks or notebooks) or value-aligned items (like eco-friendly tote bags and reusable bottles) ensures that the products integrate into the recipient's daily life long after the trade show ends. Displaying high-quality lanyards, custom pins, and wristbands clearly with their benefits, like high visibility and brand recognition, helps drive engagement and ensures you are investing in items people actually want to keep.

Top Trade Show Giveaway Ideas: What to Give, What Gets Attention, and What People Want to Keep

Susan Powell Custom Pins | Promotional Merchandise
06/27/2023 8:00am 5 minute read

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What to Give, What Gets Attention, and What People Want to Keep
FAQs

What to Give, What Gets Attention, and What People Want to Keep

Trade shows are bustling events where businesses showcase their products and services, aiming to leave a lasting impression on attendees. One of the most effective ways to do so is by offering enticing promotional items that grab attention and provide value to potential customers. This blog post will explore the top trade show giveaway ideas, highlighting what to give, what gets attention, and what people want to keep. Let's dive in!

Branded Tech Accessories:

In today's digital age, tech accessories have become increasingly popular as tradeshow giveaways. Items like branded USB drives, power banks, phone stands, and wireless chargers are practical, functional, and highly sought after by attendees. According to a survey conducted by PPAI (Promotional Products Association International), 91% of consumers have at least one promotional tech product, indicating high retention and effectiveness.

Useful Office Supplies:

Office supplies that are both practical and visually appealing make excellent tradeshow giveaways. Consider offering branded notebooks, pens, sticky notes, or desk organizers. These items find their way into attendees' daily work routines, constantly reminding them of your brand. According to the same PPAI survey, 74% of respondents reported having promotional writing instruments on their desks.

Eco-Friendly Giveaways:

In an era of increased environmental awareness, eco-friendly promotional items have gained significant popularity. Consider reusable water bottles, recycled-material tote bags, bamboo utensils, or seed paper bookmarks. These items align with sustainable values and show your brand's commitment to the planet, resonating with eco-conscious attendees.

Custom Apparel and Accessories:

Branded apparel and accessories are highly visible and create a sense of belonging among recipients. T-shirts, caps, bags, and custom accessories like sunglasses or wristbands can draw attention and spark conversations. According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), wearables are the most influential promotional products, with 85% of recipients remembering the advertiser.

Custom Logo Lapel Pins:

Lapel pins are a great option if you want to think outside the box while still offering your booth visitors a wearable keepsake. Not only are they affordable, but also many different processes and materials are available to suit your budget. The classic style is a hard enamel pin. Cloisonne or hard enamel pins are classic, professional-looking custom pins for when you want the best! They have a smooth, glassy finish without the need for epoxy varnish. Some trade show vendors add their logo with a company mascot to a pin. Others make lapel pins shaped like their products. Creative companies have also used holiday themes, trending sayings, or cultural events in their pin designs to engage trade show attendees and encourage them to wear these pins.

Edible Treats:

Who doesn't love a tasty treat? Edible giveaways have a universal appeal and can instantly attract attention at trade shows. With your branding in mind, consider offering customized chocolates, cookies, energy bars, or gourmet snacks. These delicious goodies create a positive association with your brand and are likely to be shared, expanding your reach beyond the tradeshow floor.

Tradeshow giveaways are crucial in leaving a lasting impression on attendees and promoting brand awareness. You can maximize their effectiveness by offering promotional items that are not only attention-grabbing but also practical and desirable. From branded tech accessories to useful office supplies, eco-friendly options to custom apparel, and delicious edible treats, there are numerous ideas to consider for your next tradeshow.

Remember, the key is to choose items that align with your brand image, resonate with your target audience, and provide long-lasting value. Investing in quality promotional products can increase your chances of creating a lasting positive impression and fostering brand loyalty among attendees.

Quick Guide: Giveaway Impact

What to Give (The Items): Tech accessories, premium custom lapel pins, quality office supplies, eco-friendly goods, and wearables.
What Gets Attention (The Hook): Creative shapes (like a product or mascot pin), high-tech gadgets, and free snacks to instantly pull foot traffic to your booth.
What People Keep (The ROI): Practical items that fit into daily life (91% keep tech; 74% keep office supplies) and highly visible wearables that people remember (85% recall rate).

Simplified Swag Matrix

Strategy	Top Product Choice	Why It Works
High Retention	Branded Tech (Power banks, chargers)	91% of people keep utility-driven tech products.
Daily Visibility	Office Supplies (Pens, notebooks)	74% of recipients keep these right on their desks.
Conversational Hook	Custom Lapel Pins & Apparel	Wearables yield an 85% advertiser recall rate.
Values-Driven	Eco-Friendly (Totes, bottles)	Aligns with sustainability and builds positive goodwill.
Crowd Pleaser	Custom Edible Treats	Universal appeal that instantly draws people in.

Sources:

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI): "Effectiveness of Promotional Products as an Advertising Medium."
Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI): "2019 Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study."

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FAQs

Why should we consider custom lapel pins instead of standard promotional items?

Custom lapel pins offer a unique, "out-of-the-box" alternative to traditional swag. They are highly affordable, highly customizable, and possess a premium feel—especially classic styles like Cloisonné or hard enamel pins, which feature a smooth, glassy finish. Because they can be shaped like your product, company mascot, or designed around a trending cultural event, they encourage attendees to wear them immediately, turning your audience into walking billboards on the trade show floor.

What types of promotional items have the highest retention rate among consumers?

According to data from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), tech accessories are among the most kept items, with 91% of consumers owning at least one promotional tech product. Similarly, office supplies are staple keepsakes, with 74% of consumers keeping promotional writing instruments directly on their desks where your brand is seen daily.

How do wearables like T-shirts and accessories impact brand awareness?

Wearables and custom apparel are incredibly influential. The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) notes that wearables are the most influential promotional product category, with 85% of recipients remembering the advertiser. They create visual visibility across the event and foster a sense of belonging or community around your brand.

How can we ensure our trade show giveaways don't just get thrown away?

The secret to longevity is aligning your giveaways with practicality, quality, and your audience's values. Choosing high-utility items (like power banks or notebooks) or value-aligned items (like eco-friendly tote bags and reusable bottles) ensures that the products integrate into the recipient's daily life long after the trade show ends. Displaying high-quality lanyards, custom pins, and wristbands clearly with their benefits, like high visibility and brand recognition, helps drive engagement and ensures you are investing in items people actually want to keep.